The S.T.A. Research Tournament is now history. We were pleased with turnout – the weather was great and we made some much needed money for turfgrass research. Pat Kachur and Don Best were perfect hosts and had their golf course in excellent shape as well as preparing an excellent banquet.

Let's start this month by writing about the S.T.A Research Tournament. By participating in this event you'll help the Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association fulfill its mission which encourages and promotes turf research in our industry. We need your team to register as soon as possible.

Members of the STA must be tired of all the rain we’ve had since April. I know many golf courses aren’t going to meet their financial projections budgeted for last winter because rounds are down all over the province. Hopefully we will have good weather the rest of the season.

I suppose the big news for May was the relentless rain we've had in most of the province. It certainly would be a hardship for public and municipal golf courses as revenues would be almost non-existent. Here in Saskatoon, it has been a long time that I've seen some golf courses closed on consecutive days.

Just recently you received notice that 2010 STA membership fees are due. When submitting your membership cheque please enclose the official membership application form with much needed information. I would particularly like your home e-mail address. The reason for this is to keep members up-to-date on special events and to pass on any turf tips I run across each month.

Finally spring is here and everyone is in all likelihood getting ready for a busy season. Some golf courses in Saskatoon are open while others are still waiting for the flax straw to thaw out. The golfers, as always, are getting anxious to start playing and are ignoring the practice facilities that are open.

March is here and spring will follow shortly. As you get a little older or mature you hate winter, and if you can’t get out of here you become a grouchy old man. What we have to look forward to is the CGSA sponsored seminar, featuring Eddie Konrad. It will take place March 30th at the Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon.

We finally got some snow, so much that the City of Saskatoon can’t get rid of it. A caller to a local radio station said we got so much the City can’t find the sand to spread at our intersections. The streets are treacherous here. Doug Campbell tells me his golf course has a good cover but it doesn’t prevent him from walking the golf course each Sunday.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas season, with lots of presents, good food, and lots of family around you. Our house was a beehive of activity from the 23rd of December until January 5th. With all the food still around, we could have continued for another two weeks.

We had a great Fall Wind-up and Annual General Meeting at the Lynbrook Golf Club in Moose Jaw. The Social the night before was most enjoyable with old friends, mostly talking about the year they had. Joel Simmons’ seminar was informative and educational.